News

News

It was Manchester to Massachusetts for Daniel Leeson

Manchester City Council worker Daniel Leeson last weekend won a dream trip to Boston Massachusetts at a live gig on a tram from Chorlton to Manchester Airport.

Organised by Manchester Pride and Metrolink, the gig which was supported by Thomas Cook Airlines and Manchester Airport saw 90 guests get the ride of their lives as they were entertained by Shane Ritchie Junior, Belinda Scandal and DJ Greg Thorpe in a unique evening of entertainment and fundraising for the charity.

31 year old Daniel said; “I honestly couldn’t believe that I had won when they scanned my ticket. My first thought was work of course but my manager at Manchester City Council has been amazing. She gave me the time off right away and I couldn’t be more grateful to her and my colleagues. I cannot believe that I was dancing on a tram from Chorlton to Manchester Airport and the next day I was in Boston! Thank you so much to Manchester Pride and Thomas Cook Airlines! What a weekend!”

Mark Fletcher, Chief Executive for Manchester Pride, said; “Boston is a brilliant city and Daniel is set for quite a weekend. I’m really pleased that we’re able to work with partners such as Thomas Cook Airlines, Manchester Airport and Metrolink to deliver great events that offer opportunities like Daniel’s today along with a unique experience such as TramTraxUSA.”

Stephen Turner, Commercial Director at Manchester Airport, said: "It was a great event and showcased a range of partners coming together to support such a worthy cause. Everyone at Manchester Airport hopes Daniel has an excellent trip to Boston with Thomas Cook Airlines and enjoys all this great city has to offer to tourists and holidaymakers."

Sharon Confue, head of sales for UK and Ireland at Thomas Cook Airlines, said: "We really value the opportunity that The Big Weekend and its warm up events offer for us to continue to build our reputation as the biggest long haul carrier outside of Manchester Airport. It's great that individuals like Daniel can benefit with such amazing prizes along the way, as well as our cabin crew and retail staff experiencing unique events and flying to amazing destinations."

Manchester Pride is a registered charity that campaigns for equality and challenges discrimination; creates opportunity for engagement and participation and celebrates lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) life.

The charity raises money for LGBT and HIV causes in the region by staging a number of events throughout the year including The Manchester Pride Festival. It operates a number of grants and fund schemes each year. This currently includes the George House trust Welfare Fund for individuals living with HIV, the Lesbian and Gay Foundation Free Condom and Lube Scheme and the Manchester Pride Community Grants Scheme supporting community groups and LGBT organisations.

Thomas Cook Airlines and Manchester Airport are official sponsors of Manchester Pride’s The Big Weekend which takes place from Friday 26 to Monday 29 August. They are also official sponsors of the Thomas Cook Airlines USA Main Stage. Tens of thousands of people from across the UK and Europe flock to Manchester’s world-renowned Gay Village for the event and to watch the parade.

Thomas Cook Airlines is Manchester Airport’s biggest long haul carrier, with new services direct from Manchester, to Los Angeles and Boston starting in May. This is in addition to increasing to six flights a week to New York. Thomas Cook Airlines services its new US destinations with a fleet of seven long-haul aircraft with completely refurbished and upgraded cabins, James Martin meals, Premium class cabin and wider, comfier seats and seat-back inflight entertainment.

Manchester Airport is home to over 70 airlines, serving 210 plus destinations and has over 23 million passengers a year.

To find out more about the Manchester Pride you can follow the charity on Twitter @manchesterpride or visit the website at manchesterpride.com.